Food waste occurs when edible products intended for human consumption are lost or wasted [1]. Inedible parts are hence not included per definition. Some definitions also include inedible parts of food that are wasted [4]. Food losses occurring in the production phase are sometimes referred to as food loss, as it is circumstantial. Losses occurring in the retail or consumption phase are referred to as food waste, reflecting consumption behavior [1]. Developing countries and industrialized countries contribute to food waste in equal volumes, but at different stages of the supply chain. The majority of food waste in developing countries occurs post harvest and during processing, whereas the majority of food waste in industrialized countries occurs at the consumption and retail phase [1][13]. Annual food waste estimations are insufficient, as the data is lacking [1][2][4][13]. However, according to 2009 data around 32 percent of food intended for human consumption becomes waste globally [1][3].
Relation to sustainable development goals
Sustainable Development Goal 12 explicitly includes halving the amount of food waste globally by the year 2030 [5]. The decrease in food waste needs to happen with a broad approach, including food waste occurring both at the consumption and retail level, as well as food waste occurring at the production and processing level [5] [1]. Food waste is closely related to other SDGs. Firstly, food loss occurs because of lacking storage facilities [1]. SDG 9 is focused on developing and investing in sustainable infrastructure, alleviating waste due to lacking facilities [6]. Secondly, agricultural irrigation consumes the majority of freshwater available [5]. SDG 6 is committed to ensuring access to clean drinking water [7]. Thirdly, food loss occurs when caught fish is discarded or lost at other levels of the supply chain, including consumption [1]. SDG 14 is committed to reduce overfishing and to ensure biodiversity in the oceans [8]. Fourthly, an estimated third of edible food goes to waste for various reasons [1]. SDG 2 is committed to ending world hunger by the year 2030 [9].
Critique of SDGs
There have been critical voices in regards to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals [11]. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were predecessors to the current SDGs [11]. The MDGs included eight goals and 21 defined targets [11]. The SDGs include 17 goals with 169 defined targets [11].
Critics say that the goals are ill-defined and drafted by lobbyists, as opposed to stakeholder groups without an interest in making a profit [11][12]. The SDGs are too expensive, considering actual aids being paid currently to developing nations [11]. As it stands right now, Western nations have agreed to pay 0.7% of GDP in aid, but in reality fall short of that by two thirds [11]. For the SDGs to be fulfilled it would require 4% of world GDP [11]. SDGs have received a fair amount of criticism [11][12], but some critics feel that in regards to food waste, the SDG targets are adequate, as opposed to various other targets within the same goal [12].
Examples from Finland
A group of Finnish congressmen have proposed legislation to reduce food waste at the consumption level [10]. The bill, if passed into law, would obligate restaurants, bakeries, and similar establishments to donate leftovers to charities [10].
[2] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2015). Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste Reduction. Accessible: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4068e.pdf. Retrieved 31.1.2017.
Food waste occurs when edible products intended for human consumption are lost or wasted [1]. Inedible parts are hence not included per definition. Some definitions also include inedible parts of food that are wasted [4]. Food losses occurring in the production phase are sometimes referred to as food loss, as it is circumstantial. Losses occurring in the retail or consumption phase are referred to as food waste, reflecting consumption behavior [1]. Developing countries and industrialized countries contribute to food waste in equal volumes, but at different stages of the supply chain. The majority of food waste in developing countries occurs post harvest and during processing, whereas the majority of food waste in industrialized countries occurs at the consumption and retail phase [1][13]. Annual food waste estimations are insufficient, as the data is lacking [1][2][4][13]. However, according to 2009 data around 32 percent of food intended for human consumption becomes waste globally [1][3].
Relation to sustainable development goals
Sustainable Development Goal 12 explicitly includes halving the amount of food waste globally by the year 2030 [5]. The decrease in food waste needs to happen with a broad approach, including food waste occurring both at the consumption and retail level, as well as food waste occurring at the production and processing level [5] [1]. Food waste is closely related to other SDGs. Firstly, food loss occurs because of lacking storage facilities [1]. SDG 9 is focused on developing and investing in sustainable infrastructure, alleviating waste due to lacking facilities [6]. Secondly, agricultural irrigation consumes the majority of freshwater available [5]. SDG 6 is committed to ensuring access to clean drinking water [7]. Thirdly, food loss occurs when caught fish is discarded or lost at other levels of the supply chain, including consumption [1]. SDG 14 is committed to reduce overfishing and to ensure biodiversity in the oceans [8]. Fourthly, an estimated third of edible food goes to waste for various reasons [1]. SDG 2 is committed to ending world hunger by the year 2030 [9].
Critique of SDGs
There have been critical voices in regards to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals [11]. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were predecessors to the current SDGs [11]. The MDGs included eight goals and 21 defined targets [11]. The SDGs include 17 goals with 169 defined targets [11].
Critics say that the goals are ill-defined and drafted by lobbyists, as opposed to stakeholder groups without an interest in making a profit [11][12]. The SDGs are too expensive, considering actual aids being paid currently to developing nations [11]. As it stands right now, Western nations have agreed to pay 0.7% of GDP in aid, but in reality fall short of that by two thirds [11]. For the SDGs to be fulfilled it would require 4% of world GDP [11]. SDGs have received a fair amount of criticism [11][12], but some critics feel that in regards to food waste, the SDG targets are adequate, as opposed to various other targets within the same goal [12].
Examples from Finland
A group of Finnish congressmen have proposed legislation to reduce food waste at the consumption level [10]. The bill, if passed into law, would obligate restaurants, bakeries, and similar establishments to donate leftovers to charities [10].
[1] Gustavsson, J. Cederberg, C. & Sonesson, U. (2011). Global Food Losses and Waste. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessible: http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2012/ph240/briggs1/docs/mb060e00.pdf. Retrieved 31.1.2017.
[2] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2015). Global Initiative on Food Loss and Waste Reduction. Accessible: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4068e.pdf. Retrieved 31.1.2017.
[3] Lipinski, B. Hanson, C. Lomax, J. Kitinoja, L. Waite, R. & Searchinger, T. (2013). Reducing Food Loss and Waste. World Resources Institute. Accessible: http://www.wri.org/sites/default/files/reducing_food_loss_and_waste.pdf. Retrieved 31.1.2017.
[4] Fusions (2016). From Harmonized Measurement to Strategic Action: FUSIONS’ Framework, dataset and recommendations. Accessible: https://www.eu-fusions.org/phocadownload/EPM2016/IV_FUSIONS-Ostergren%20final.pdf. Retrieved 31.1.2017.
[5] UNDP (2016) Sustainable Development Goals Accessible: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-12-responsible-consumption-and-production.html Retrieved 15.2.2017.
[6] UNDP (2016) Sustainable Development Goals Accessible http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-9-industry-innovation-and-infrastructure.html Retrieved 15.2.2017.
[7] UNDP (2016) Sustainable Development Goals Accessible: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-6-clean-water-and-sanitation.html Retrieved 15.2.2017.
[8] UNDP (2016) Sustainable Development Goals Accessible: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-14-life-below-water.html Retrieved 15.2.2017.
[9] UNDP (2016) Sustainable Development Goals Accessible: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-2-zero-hunger.html Retrieved 15.2.2017.
[10] Näinkö ruokahävikki kuriin Suomessa? “Tämä on järjetöntä” Uusi Suomi 8.4.2016 Accessible: https://www.uusisuomi.fi/kotimaa/189308-nainko-ruokahavikki-kuriin-suomessa-tama-jarjetonta Retrieved 15.2.2017.
[11] The 169 Commandments. The Economist 26.3.2015 Accessible: http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21647286-proposed-sustainable-development-goals-would-be-worse-useless-169-commandments Retrieved 15.2.2017.
[12] ICSU (2015). Review of the Sustainable Development Goals: The Science Perspective. Accessible: http://www.icsu.org/publications/reports-and-reviews/review-of-targets-for-the-sustainable-development-goals-the-science-perspective-2015/SDG-Report.pdf Retrieved 15.2.2017.
[13] TED (2012). The Global Food Waste Scandal Accessible: https://www.ted.com/talks/tristram_stuart_the_global_food_waste_scandal Retrieved 15.2.2017.